Yankees Part Ways with Marcus Stroman Following Rocky Tenure
Marcus Stroman’s time in the Bronx is officially over. The Yankees cut ties with the veteran right-hander on August 1, 2025, closing the book on a headline-grabbing stint that never quite matched the hype of his initial arrival. He landed in New York before the 2024 season on a two-year, $37 million deal, complete with an $18 million club option for 2026 if he could log 140 innings this year. After a promising start, a knee injury in April knocked him out of rhythm and limited him to just 39 frames for 2025—removing any chance at that lucrative option.
When Stroman did make it back after his injury, things still didn’t look right. Over nine starts this season, he went 3-2 with a 6.23 ERA, surrendering too many runs to regain the organization’s trust. Even after returning to action in late June, he posted a 4.55 ERA over his final six games, showing flashes but not the reliability the Yankees needed when fighting for playoff positioning. The final straw came in a rough outing against Tampa Bay, where Stroman was tagged for four earned runs in just five innings. With the trade deadline arriving and big arms available, his fate seemed sealed.
Roster Shakeup and Next Steps for the Yankees and Stroman
This roster move wasn’t just about Stroman’s performance. The Yankees needed space to make big upgrades, and they did just that, swinging deals for hard-throwing relievers David Bednar and Camilo Doval. The team also welcomed back Luis Gil from the injured list—he’ll slot right into Stroman’s now-vacant rotation spot. Impressive rookie Cam Schlittler isn’t going anywhere after steady performances alongside Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Will Warren. Stroman’s willingness to adapt became a sticking point, too. In spring training, he pushed back on the team's efforts to move him to the bullpen, and while injuries to Gerrit Cole and Gil offered him another shot as a starter, it just didn’t pan out.
This cut comes at a cost for the Yankees, who still owe Stroman the hefty $18 million left on his 2025 contract. For the 34-year-old pitcher, the door is now open to sign with another club for the remainder of the season—he’s eligible for a prorated minimum deal around $230,000. While Stroman’s time in pinstripes was marred by injuries and inconsistency, his experience and past success could tempt a contender in need of pitching depth as the season heads toward the stretch run. For New York, meanwhile, a retooled rotation and fresher bullpen arms give them a shot in the arm right when it matters most.